Items tagged with pixel
When the Pixel 5 launched, the Google Camera app was updated with a slick redesign. Now, that redesign is starting to filter down to older devices with Google Camera version 8.1. This means that all Pixel devices dating back to the Pixel 2 will gain access to the app that Pixel 5 owners have been enjoying over the last month. The Google Camera app redesign that came with the flagship Android from Google reorganized the app's features and added some other new features for making photo and video taking easier. Previously, the 8.0 update was exclusive to the Pixel 5, and it could not be sideloaded to other Pixel devices without a device reset. Update 8.1, on the other hand, according to 9to5Google,...
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On this episode of HotHardware's Two And A Half Geeks podcast, we'll be talking up AMD's recently announced Zen 3-based Ryzen 5000 series processors, Google's new Pixel 4a 5G and Pixel 5 Android smartphones, the latest 5G Apple iPhones, a vintage eMachines system reborn with Ryzen and Radeon firepower and details of our EK Fluid Gaming PC giveaway, which is winding down... Show Notes: 05:08 - Apple Unveils 5.4-Inch iPhone 12 mini Starting At $699, iPhone 12 Pro Rocks LIDAR And Dolby Vision HDR Video Capture 14:09 - Google Pixel 4a 5G Review: Big Screen, Great Camera And Value 23:12 - Rage Against The eMachine: A Ryzen And Radeon Retro Revival 29:46 - AMD Unveils Ryzen 5000 Series With Up...
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Don’t let the Pixel 4a 5G’s name fool you into thinking this device is the same as the Pixel 4a that was released back in August, with the sole addition of 5G support. Although the branding may be somewhat quizzical, the Pixel 4a 5G is a completely new device, with a larger form factor (it’s actually bigger than the Pixel 5), newer processing platform, additional rear camera, and a few other bells and whistles. The new Pixel 4a 5G does look nearly identical to the “older” Pixel 4a, but that is by design. Google has embraced an overall aesthetic with its Pixel devices that’s distinctly similar across all its devices from the last couple of generations. Depending...
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Google’s Pixel phones are well known for their superb cameras, timely updates, and unique features (Call Screen, Now Playing, etc...) But the company’s handset strategy -- and its lineup -- is difficult to decipher. It’s like Google is beating its own drum, blissfully (or purposefully) unaware of the market. On one side, you have the Pixel flagships, which are tough sells due to their relatively high prices, lackluster specs in light of competitive offerings, and other compromises (like middling battery life). For example, there was the Pixel 3 XL, with its massive notch and sparse 4GB of RAM, and there’s the Pixel 4 and 4 XL with their top-heavy bezel, missing ultrawide...
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Android fans who want to try the next big release for the operating system can currently enroll in the Android 11 Beta program if you're using a Pixel smartphone. Google says the Android Beta for Pixel program offers a simple way to try pre-release versions of Android to check out new features. The program also allows users to provide feedback to Google about the operating system before its launch. Once users register their device, they will automatically receive updates from the latest beta version of the OS. Supported devices for the Android Beta for Pixel program include: Pixel 2 Pixel 2 XL Pixel 3 Pixel 3 XL Pixel 3a Pixel 3a XL Pixel 4 Pixel 4 XL Google points out that users on eligible...
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In a potential move that could shake things up in the mobile space, Google might be taking a page from Apple by designing its own system-on-chip (SoC) hardware for future Pixel smartphones and lower end Chromebook devices. If that turns out to be the case, it would be disappointing news for Qualcomm, and good news for Samsung. Google has traditionally leaned on Qualcomm to power its smartphones. For example, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL wield a Snapdragon 855 processor, while the previous generation Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL both touted a Snapdragon 845 SoC. The same is true of the upcoming Pixel 4a and Pixel 4a XL—they are rumored to run on a Snapdragon 730 chip. By shifting design chores in-house,...
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Call recording can be a very useful tool in a variety of situations. Unfortunately, it is currently not a feature available in the Google Phone app. However, keen-eyed developers recently dug into the code of the Google Phone app and uncovered code for call recording. Google removed its own native call recording feature with Android 6 Marshmallow. Developers were able to provide users with an alternative for a little while, but Google got rid of that capability with Android 9 Pie. Pixel and Android One users can record screened calls, but have needed to find ways to record their other phone call conversations. Google has yet to provide an official tool. However, call recording appears to...
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Without question, Google's Pixel 4 XL has been the most leaked smartphone of 2019 prior to its official launch. Heck, even Google teased the device and a key feature or two along the way, so it goes without saying, the hype was big for this fourth generation Pixel. Google tries to set the bar for Android ecosystem partners with respect to industrial design and new enabling technologies with its Pixel phones. And in fact, the new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL bring with them a couple of firsts for made by Google devices, specifically a 90Hz display and wireless charging. The premise is that hopefully these new features are "done right" so to speak, or at least that the technology has matured enough to...
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Google's original Pixel smartphone has enjoyed an epic run when it comes to major operating system and security updates, but the end of the road is finally in sight. Starting with November's monthly rollout of Android security updates, the Pixel is being abandoned by Google. The Pixel has been supported for a remarkably long time -- at least for an Android device -- since its original release back in October 2016. That's one of the benefits of going with Google's hardware in the Android ecosystem, and it's rare to find continual support for 3-year-old devices from its OEM partners. In fact, Google even allowed first-generation Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones to upgrade to the current...
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It appears that the rumors swirling around the web yesterday were correct: Android 10 has just been released today for Google's first-party Pixel smartphones (Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a families). This latest version of Google's mobile operating system was previously known as Android Q, and we were expecting it to be named after so sweet delicious treat like its predecessors. However, Google confirmed late last month that it was simply going with the Android 10 nomenclature. Android 10 isn't exactly a huge rethink of the most popular operating system in the world, but it does bring with it a wealth of improvements and refinements that make it easier to live with on a daily basis....
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A court has approved Google's Pixel and Pixel XL smartphone settlement. The class-action lawsuit alleged that Google knowingly sold devices with defective microphones. Owners of those devices are eligible for cash reimbursement in the settlement, but there a few conditions Pixel owners must meet with the most important being that they purchased the Pixel or Pixel XL before January 7th, 2017. The biggest payout possible in the settlement is up to $500, and to get that much from the $7.25 million settlement you must be able to document your microphone woes with the Pixel devices. All owners of the Pixel or Pixel XL that purchased before the January 7th, 2017 deadline are eligible for up to $20....
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For developers and enthusiasts looking to get an early taste of the next version of Google’s Android operating system, the release of new betas is always a highly-anticipated event. And while there's always the promise of cool new features and performance enhancements, there's always the possibility that things could go wrong with this early software -- after all, it is still in beta. Such is the case with Android Q Beta 4, which first landed earlier this week. Almost immediately, Pixel owners began complaining about problems with the over-the-air (OTA) update. Many users said that the Beta 4 update failed to install and, in some cases, put them into reboot hell. Others were cast...
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Google has made a splash over the last month with the launch of the new mid-range Pixel 3a and 3a XL smartphones. The devices have up to $600 in incentives to get users to trade in iPhone and other devices to get the new smartphone. We've talked about Android Q before with its focus on privacy and a slew of other new features coming. Google is reportedly working on another new feature for Android Q that might not come to everyone. This feature is automatic car crash detection. References were found to the new feature in the Android Q Beta 3 Safety Hub app. A string in the app reads that the car crash detection function will "automatically launch an alert activity when the device detects you are...
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There have been rumors going around that Google is gearing up to launch new mid-range smartphones to appeal to a wider range of smartphone buyers. As smartphone prices continue to grow, many consumers are simply not buying and are holding onto older devices for longer. Previously, a rumor suggested that these new mid-range devices will be called the Pixel 3 Lite and the Pixel 3 XL Lite. A new rumor claims that the mid-range Pixel devices will be called the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. The mid-range devices will reportedly launch in black, white, and iris colors; iris is said to be a mix between blue and purple. Pricing rumors suggest that the smartphones will go for about 450 euros, which would...
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If 2018 was the year of the notch, it looks as though 2019 may be the year of the folding smartphone. So far, we’ve seen the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X; and Motorola is confirmed to be working on a folding smartphone that will likely be branded as a Moto RAZR. We’re now learning – thanks to patent uncovered by Patently Mobile – that Google has its eyes on folding smartphones as well. We all know that Google is supporting folding smartphones on the software side with Android Q, but this patent relates to actual hardware. The patent shows two different folding display designs, one of which has a single fold,...
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As we discovered last month after a thorough review, Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL smartphones are really good and we dubbed them as "Android Refined". And that camera! The camera is clearly one of the biggest attractions here, especially with the ability to take some of the best night shots we've ever seen. It's surprising, then, that even though the Pixel 3 and 3 XL only released last month, Best Buy is already applying one heck of a discount for Black Friday. That deal is $400 off, which is the kind of price slash that brings a top-end device down to or below the price point the likes of OnePlus flagships. This assumes of course that you're fine calling Verizon home, as that's the exclusive...
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Considering that nearly every detail about the Google Pixel 3 smartphone family has leaked at this point, it seems rather appropriate that the actual launch date would also be revealed ahead of schedule. According to a new report, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will be revealed at an event in New York City on October 9th. For reference, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were launched last year on October 4th. This news of the early October launch comes courtesy of Bloomberg, which slipped the information off-handily in its earlier piece on the 2018 Apple iPhone lineup. If Apple’s September release schedule sticks to previous years, the Google devices will debut just a few...
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The Pixel 3 family is likely still weeks away from being "officially" unveiled, but a constant stream of leaks has given us excellent looks at the upcoming Android 9 Pie flagships. In particular, the Pixel 3 XL has been especially prone to posing for the camera. The Pixel 3 XL has leaked once again, this time in a high-quality unboxing video that has been posted to YouTube. In the Russian video, we see that the Pixel 3 XL comes with a pair of Pixel Buds-style headphones that attach to the bottom-mounted USB-C port. Also in the box are a USB-C to USB-C adapter, USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, a USB-C to USB-A adapter and a wall plug. The video gives a good look at the Pixel 3 XL from all...
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Google decided to take Android 9 Pie out of the oven a little early, and while there are certain parts that could use a bit more baking, it is out of beta and ready to install on Pixel and Pixel 2 handsets. Well, sort of. Google is not pushing Android 9 Pie out to the masses yet, but has made available the source code to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). What that means is you can download and install Android 9 Pie on your Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, or Pixel 2 XL by manually sideloading it onto your device. That is a different process than just heading into settings and fetching it as an over-the-air (OTA) update. There is some prep work involved, especially if you have never done this sort...
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If you're looking for a great [and aging] flagship Android smartphone, B&H Photo is currently running a pretty good deal on the original Google Pixel. The Pixel launched in late 2016 and brought with it a sleek new design direction for Google's first-party smartphones and introduced us to Google's spectacular camera system. Right now, you can grab the 32GB variant for $329.99, while the 128GB variant rings in just $399. Both of those prices include free expedited shipping and you'll only pay tax if you live in the state New York. While these smartphones no longer feature bleeding edge hardware, their specs are nothing to scoff at. Both smartphones feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon...
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The wearables market might not be exactly booming right now, but regardless growth is expected in the segment. Apple is currently leading with its Apple Watch. However, Google is aiming to take the wearables fight directly to Apple, and hinted back in May that it could be rolling out a Pixel Wearable running its Android Wear OS to directly combat Apple. We have some detail on what to expect from Google for its forthcoming wearable and at the heart of the smartwatches will be a Qualcomm chip. Qualcomm chips haven't exactly been confirmed, but there were strong hints from Qualcomm's Pankaj Kedia, senior director and business lead for Smart Wearables, that they are coming. CNET reports...
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A new class action lawsuit was filed this week against Google by owners of the original Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones. In the lawsuit, plaintiffs claim that the microphone in the original Pixel devices was defective from the start. The suit alleges that Google knew about the defect and continued to sell the devices anyway. The complaint implies that Google knew of the microphone defect from launch due to widespread complaints. Another allegation in the lawsuit is that some of the smartphones were replaced under warranty due to the mic issues, but the replacement devices suffered from the same defect. A Google employee posted previously on the support forums that the problem with the mic...
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